This annual display is the brainchild of Loretta Hines Howard, who collected and donated the 200-plus Neapolitan crèche figurines that adorn the tree and surrounding scene. Though Howard has passed away, her daughter and granddaughter continue to help arrange the 18th-century angels that cascade down the blue spruce into elaborate nativity scene on the ground.

For 65 years, the Norwegian capital of Oslo has given the tree in Trafalgar Square to the people of London as a thank-you for their support during World War II. This year, the 65-footer is a Norwegian spruce (see it being cut in this video) and the lighting ceremony takes place December 6.

This year marks the 99th celebration of Chicago's holiday tradition. First lit in Grant Park in 1913, the tree—which always comes from within 100 miles of Chicago's Loop neighborhood—was moved to Daley Plaza in 1966. This year's Colorado spruce is decorated with 14,600 multicolored lights.

U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree

The tree's decorative theme this year is "Celebrating the great outdoors," and the 5,000 ornaments made by Colorado school children will reflect that. One of those lucky kids will win the chance the flip the tree's lights with Speak of the House John Boehner on December 4—though they'll have a stiff competitor for the spotlight. This tree might just be the biggest arboreal celeb ever: Before arriving in D.C. yesterday, the tree's trip from the White River National Forest to the Capitol front lawn was stalked at TracktheTree.com; the fir also gets its own new, original song and Facebook page; and the lighting ceremony will be streamed live online.

Our nation's capital gets two notable evergreens, and this one is the only living tree to make our list. The Colorado blue spruce that will be lit on December 6 (with a to-do that will be hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, no less) was transplanted to its new home October 27 just days before Hurricane Sandy. The previous tree died in May from root shock, just months after it was transplanted from New Jersey.

Prague

Prague's first city conifer was unveiled in 1925, but no trees were raised between 1941 and 1945, or between 1947 and 1992. The tradition seems to be on solid ground though now; this year’s 72-foot spruce will be decorated with 36,000 lights, 100 giant gingerbread men, and 30 classical ornaments.

Sydney

It takes 12 people, working eight days to set up the tree in Sydney’s Martin Place. The 69-foot tree, which has been a holiday landmark since 1937, will be decorated with 58,000 lights, 90 white bulbs, and more than 150 stars—all topped with a five-foot star. It takes 12 people, working eight days to set up the tree in Martin Place.

Dortmund, Germany

Considered to be the largest in the world, the Dortmund tree is certainly the largest on our list—standing 148 feet tall. But the behemoth is actually made up of 1,700 smaller fir trees. This year’s creation is decorated with more 48,000 lights and topped with a 13-foot angel.

Berlin

More than 170 Christmas shops surround the 65-foot tree at Berlin’s Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church market. Pick up a cocoa or mulled wine and take a walk around. This year around 2 million visitors are expected to do just that.

Philly's "LOVE Park," (a.k.a. John F. Kennedy Plaza, but nicknamed for the famous sculpture) gets transformed into a holiday haven with 60 stands for holiday shoppers. But the centerpiece of the season is the immense multicolored Christmas tree topped with a white star.

Thessaloniki, Greece

The 65-foot Christmas tree isn’t the only main attraction in Thessaloniki’s Aristotelous Square. A giant decorated ship recalls the Greek tradition of decorating boats instead of greenery.

Seattle, Washington

For 23 years the city has flip-flopped between either a Douglas or silver fir for its annual Christmas evergreen, but this year the Emerald City is going sustainable with an artificial tree. Multicolored lights and ornaments cover the faux fir, and a white star tops it.